The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Thomas J. Defibaugh, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 4th Infantry Division in Normandy, France, in June 1944. Sergeant Defibaugh’s battalion was spearheading an attack, and he was operating the Battalion Commander’s radio as his unit fought its way through to the strategic point where they were immediately pinned down by heavy small arms and artillery fire. Sergeant Defibaugh remained at his post in a shallow ditch for six and one-half hours and maintained constant communications throughout his battalion. He refused to be evacuated until the next day, in order to continue the discharge of his duty. By his determined bravery and devotion to duty, Sergeant Defibaugh prevented the breakdown of communications and thereby in large measure contributed to the success of the attack.